Lab Med Online.  2021 Apr;11(2):88-92. 10.47429/lmo.2021.11.2.88.

Analysis of Results of Liver-related Health Care Checkup in Mongolian Immigrants: A Comparison with Results from Koreans

• Kim DH
• Lee JK
• Kim H
• Oh Ac
• Hong YJ
• Park SC
• Kong CB

• KMID: 2525789
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.47429/lmo.2021.11.2.88

Abstract

Background
The incidence and mortality rate of liver cancer in Mongolians are known to be the highest in the world, and liver cancer in Mongolians is mainly caused by chronic hepatitis B and C. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of liver function, viral hepatitis, and liver fibrosis tests in Mongolian immigrants and compare them with those of Koreans.
Methods
Eighty Mongolian immigrants older than 40 years of age volunteered for screening programs including serological markers of hepatitis B and C and liver fibrosis. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody, anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), AST, ALT, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) scores were determined. The results of the Mongolians were compared with those of 40 Koreans.
Results
The frequency of significant liver fibrosis (ELF ≥ 8.5) was higher in Mongolians than in Koreans (66.3% vs. 47.5%, P = 0.048). Moreover, there were significant differences in fibrotic stages estimated based on global and domestic ELF criteria between the groups positive and negative for anti-HCV or HBsAg among Mongolians (P = 0.004 and P = 0.023, respectively).
Conclusions
The frequency of significant liver fibrosis based on ELF scores was higher in Mongolian immigrants than in Koreans. A healthscreening program specifically focused on liver disease is needed for Mongolian immigrants.

Keyword

Mongolian immigrants; Health care checkup; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Liver fibrosis

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